Customer Reviews

Predator: South China Sea

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

I just finished reading this entry to the series, and cannot say too many good things about this book. The characters, setting, mood, and the Predator are all top notch.

To begin with, the book has a variety of characters, all with different motivations, loyalties, and personalities. I don't want to spoil anything concerning the motivations, but several characters have a very good idea of what they are facing, and this plays out very well at the start of the novel.

The setting, which at first I thought might be cheesy, works very well in the story. The variety of settings: the hunting lodge, swamp, grasslands, valleys, and the abandoned temple prevents the action from getting boring and lets the hunt play out with differing tactics.

The mood of this story is very dark, gritty, and brutal: just what the franchise is about. There are decapitations, mutilations, and every other type of death that can be thought of. There is also a fatalistic sense, with the characters believing that they are not going to survive their encounter with the Predator. This feeling was absent in Turnabout, and I personally felt it hurt that novel. As to which movie this book 'feels' like, I would say the 1st film without a doubt.

I can't conclude this review without mentioning the Predator. He is by far the most BA, toughest, and experienced that has been featured in either the films or books. He is an absolutely brutal character; as examples (don't read for spoilers) he paints his helmet with human blood, throws the severed heads of soldiers back to their comrades, plays the recording of him killing a character's sister back to her, and racks up the highest body count of any predator by leaps and bounds.

To conclude, if you are a fan of either the films or books, read this novel

I've been a big Predator fan since the 1st movie came out. I really enjoyed watching them square off against the Aliens, another franchise I've enjoyed over the last few decades. When I was looking for another AVP book, which are very few and far between, I read the reviews about Predator South China Sea.
I was attracted by the reviewers' descriptions of the human characters. I was intrigued by the variety of their personalities and what they brought into the conflict vs. the Predator.

This played out very well. These humans, for the most part, when realizing they were being hunted, actually had some nice surpirses for this ultimate killer. Of course he had some surprises for them, too. The only problem I had with this story was the unclear explanation of what exactly became of the Russian guy. I don't want to spoil it by offering my theories. But if you like a good Predator book, get this one. I think it would make a very good movie adaptation, too.

I loved it all the way from start to finish! It is the perfect proof that a real writer can write in any genre.

I think it is only fair that I point out I am only familiar with the Predator universe through the films. So I do not know anything about the predator mythology expanded upon in comic books and other novels. This is the only Predator novel that I have read; I picked it up because I am a big fan of the first two movies. While "Predators" wasn't a bad film I missed the single Predator against the world kind of story that made the first two films so great.

This is a very interesting addition to the Predator series and its "Illegal hunt set in the middle of nowhere" theme not only works well but is rather quite refreshing. Unlike the first two films the characters of this story are not automatic heroes, such as American Commandos and Police officers.; In fact most of the characters are rather quite villainous. While that did make it difficult for me to get attached to the characters it kept the concept interesting and a little more complex. Unlike the films all the characters are fleshed out very well while the author maintains a fast pace.

The Predator of this book is handled deftly and is even more blood thirsty than his movie counter parts. For example this predator seems to enjoy toying with his prey a lot more as well as decorating his helmet with the blood of those he has killed.

The only real problem I had with this book was there were times when the plot seemed to be jumping all over the place and more than once I did get a little frustrated with it. However overall this is a very enjoyable read and is a great addition to the Predator universe.

Review by Shane Porteous author of Rasciss

South China Sea is my new favorite predator related book by far. The avp books that follow Machiko Naguchi were pretty sweet and Dachande used to be what I considered the epitome of the alpha hunter. This guy sets the bar a spear length higher. Everything this hunter does is incredibly brutal, strategic, and just plain badass.

With the exception of one charecter (mr comic releif of the story), everyone on that island is ten types of tough with death on their speed dial. This pred doesnt settle for one spec ops team in south america. I dont wanna spoil anything but the amount of destruction this thing pulls off makes Mortal Kombat look like a saturday morning cartoon.

Another thing I really like about this book is it shows things from everyone's perspective. In Cold War or Turnabout (both decent books), the author only shows what the humans are thinking. South China Sea takes you into the hunter's den. One of my top ten moments in the story is when he's kinda just taking a break and watching other predators through the ship screens while remembering some of his.
It's just really cool anytime you see more of the yautja culture.

Add all that to a killer story, nonstop action, and a freakin awesome ending, South China Sea gets five stars.

On an island set up for hunting game, something has gone terribly wrong. Instead of being the big beasties on the ground floor, people start finding themselves the low things on the totem. what does that mean for them - well, it means that they can look forward to a nice day of dying, with a side of spine removal just to make things interesting.

Out of all the Predator books, this is one of the best. It has all the elements you expect from the Predator and it isn't tame in the least, allowing the little guys to go hog wild. In some books that isn't the case at all, with the writer going for some moral tale or trying to tame the most heavy-hitting force in the galaxy. But these guys are not to be trifled with and their hunting rituals are sacred to them. So, insulting that is like spitting in the eyes of their own personal Jesus.

As far as the writing goes, it is top-notch and won't make you an unhappy camper. In these boks that says a lot, too, because there are not many people that do it right. The Perry writers do it well and a few others have the touch as well, but that is not the rule - it is the exception.

You like the Predator in book for an you will like this. It is as easy as that. The idea is one that reminds me of predator in a way, only it is not a movie with people running like they did there. This is a big kid ranch and the big kids think they are safe.
Awww, I hate to tell them how wrong they are.

Hello, I read this book and enjoyed reading it. The story is fairly compelling and interesting. The Predator is this story seemed to have his act together better than some in the other books. I would have to like to have seen PolPot play a bigger part, but it is not my book. I still do not think that the authors of the Predators books have a real grasp of these beings. As a hunter myself, I feel that the predator made some mistakes that he should not have made. If you are like me and get into these sort of books, I think you will enjoy this one. Thanks.

There are still some Predator books out there I have not read but to date, this is the best one yet. Full of colorful characters with secrets which cause plot twist through out the book. I can see why the writer was an award winner. There wasn't a dull moment in the book. The Predators talents were on display and I was pleased to see that there were some savvy human beings too. They weren't just there to be slaughtered. What a fine book. I look forward to reading more from this good author!

OMG! Dark Horse has found a writer that took the Predator franchise into the stratosphere.

After reading this fantastic novel, it is clear why Predator newcomer writer, Jeff VanderMeer has awards for his writing. This is more epic and better than the original!

VanderMeer's cast of human characters are so hardcore that they kinda made Arnold Schwarzeneggar and his band of soldiers look like nusery school kids. Great and epic stuff, this!

And this predator too is the baddest of the bad, making previous Predators also seem like pre-adolescent Preds. Fantastic!!

Riveting, harrowing, dark and bloody, Predator: South China Sea will surely please REAL Predator fans to its extreme limits.

If only Hollywood could produce gold products like this...

So, so much is not realstic....the charactors, the available weapons, the story. I mean almost everything in the book is not realistic. Having said that, I enjoyed the book. If you are a Predator fan, who cares about reality. Just give us lots of action and a reasonably good story. Anyhow, I enjoyed it and recommend it for Predator fans. I bought it from Amazon because our local book stores stock almost no books like this, and finding it at the library....not a chance. I do like the free shipping over $25.